Punjab skipper Harbhajan Singh used long handle to a good effect as his attacking half-century ensured a three-wicket win and full points for the visitors against last year's runners-up Maharashtra in a Ranji Trophy group match, here today.

Punjab skipper Harbhajan Singh

Chasing a victory target of 204, Punjab knocked off the runs in 46.5 overs largely due to the 86 run stand in only 13.3 overs between Harbhajan and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (73 no). Earlier, Maharashtra finished first innings at 384 based on twin centuries from Kedar jadhav (109) and Rahul Tripathi (103).

Harbhajan faced 53 balls hitting four boundaries and three sixes as his counter-attack raised visions of an outright win after Punjab were reduced to 68 for four in the 24th over after Jiwanjot Singh (9), Uday Kaul (26), Amitoze Singh (7) and Mandeep Singh (11) were all back in the pavilion.

It was Maharashtra's left-arm seamer Samad Fallah 95/60), who rocked the top-order with triple strike.

Refusing to play for a draw, Harbhajan took on opposition's left-arm spinner Akshay Darekar hitting him for a couple of sixes. He also took on their medium pacer Shrikant Mundhe as Punjab consolidated at a brisk pace.

Gurkeerat, who has been in fine touch from the start of the domestic season, also rotated the strike well as he hit seven fours and a six in his 80-ball knock. By the time, Harbhajan was holed out in the deep off Mundhe's bowling, Punjab needed just 53 runs with five wickets still intact.

Yuvraj Singh (13) couldn't recreate his first innings magic as he became Fallah's fourth victom. The pacer made it five-for dismissing Geetansh Khera (0) as Punjab still needed 21 runs. But Gurkeerat and Siddharth Kaul (9) played with ease as they got full six points for their team. Punjab now lead group B table with 15 points from three games.